Capello clears the air
June 3, 2011
Apparently, air clearance was required with regard to Rio Ferdinand being given the boot as England captain. What was tainting the air and what was used for the clearance of this air is unclear, but the operation was successful, according to the BBC.
Capello did say: “We shook hands,” but I fail to see how this might affect air quality. A handshake creates a tiny amount of heat energy as a result of friction, but I doubt this would be sufficient to clear away anything – certainly not something so noticeable that it warranted the handshake in the first place.
England Vs Belarus – Will Capello change things round?
October 12, 2009
All eyes will be on the England performance on Wednesday night after their below par display against the Ukraine at the weekend. England have already qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after winning their first eight group games, but after they were reduced to 10 men on Saturday after the sending off of goalkeeper Robert Green, some poor performances were highlighted.
One key player that looked below par was Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand has struggled to overcome an injury he sustained earlier in the season and seemed to lack match fitness and sharpness. Big players always come good however and it is just a matter of time before Ferdinand is back to his best.
The match against Belarus on Wednesday night is fast approaching and with key players like Wayne Rooney out it will give team boss Fabio Capello the chance to give other players the chance to shine. Betting for the game sees England 1/6 on to win the tie with Belarus at a distant 20/1 for the win.
If you fancy a flutter, there are some great websites where you can place bets on the outcome, play brilliant games of bingo and play other different games to make the game a little more exciting.
Was it all worth it?
March 29, 2009
Last weekends International friendly match was, on paper, a good run out for the England team ahead of the important clash with the Ukrainians next Wednesday. A four nil score line is always something to be proud of no matter who the opposition are.
Yet despite this there were a few negatives which overshadowed the victory. First of all, the injuries picked up by Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole. The two are now out of Wednesday’s game and Fabio has drafted in Spurs striker Darren Bent as a replacement. Personally, I would have opted to bring Michael Owen in and the fact that he has been looked over yet again does cast some doubt over the future of his International career.
The other negative from last Saturday’s fixture was the unveiling of the new England strip which in my opinion is absolutel awful. It looks like a cross between a Wimbledon outfit and a PE kit designed for 10 year olds. Somebody at Umbro must be having a right laugh at the design now. Five Live legend Alan Green certainly agrees with me – lets just say that he made it pretty clear that he does not like the new kit live on air last Saturday!
So on to face Ukraine – lets hope that we gain that important fifth win and all but secure qualification from the group.
Should England players be paid?
January 22, 2009
WIE today focuses on an issue which has had much air time over the recent past – particularly within the pubs and terraces of the nation. This is the argument whether or not those lucky souls who represent our county should get paid for it.
Lets be honest, the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and DavidBeckham are hardly short of a few quid and therefore is money really the issue here?
The fact is that representing your country is an honour and as a result this should far outweigh monetary values. For me players should not get paid for playing for their country and if they do, then they should donate this to a charity of their choice. Payment belittles the honour of the occasion and this could well be part of the reason why the England team in particular are chronic under performers.
Winning a competition such as the European Championships or the World Cup could well invoke a payment as a “well done” gesture and this is fundamentally different than pay per play.
So it is time to address this issue once and for all. Should England players be paid for their efforts – tell us what you think!
You either watch football or your dont!
November 12, 2008
Over the last couple of year or so, Sky Sports have received a strong competitor for live football and that comes in the form of Setanta Sports. For some people, Setatanta is a cost effective way to watch top class football for a fraction of the price of Sky and the deal seems like a remarkably good one.
However, others have taken less kindly to Setanta , pointing to the fact that they have trod on the BBC’s toes when it comes to England matches. A couple of months ago, this was highlighted when England fans chanted anti Setanta songs during a match, and there was a great deal of upset and disappointed when the fantastic win in Croatia was only made available to subscribers.
The facts of the matter are that Setanta outbid the BBC or certain England matches as well as FA Cup coverage, therefore they are entitled to show them to their members. This is the reality and sadly for some, it is not about to change any time soon.
In terms of whether or not this should be allowed – of course it should, they paid the money for it so why should they refuse to show it? Football is big business now and this is just a small part of it.
In my opinion those England fans who are kicking off about not wanting to pay £12 or so a month to watch top quality football and plenty of it are causing a fuss about nothing. If you want to watch it, you pay for it, if you don’t then buy yourself a CD instead.
Do you agree with me?
Leave me your comments!
Wilkes scores the winner as England beat Rest of the World 4-3
September 7, 2008
England captain Jonathan Wilkes (Robbie Williams’ mate) scored the winner in England’s 4-3 win over a Rest of the World side at Wembley tonight. The game was in aid of the Unicef charity, raising money for impoverished children Worldwide. Soccer Aid, as it has been dubbed, was the idea of Jonathan Wilkes and Robbie Williams, and this year is the second time the game has been played. The last game was won by England 2 years ago when they beat a Gordon Ramsey side that included Diego Maradona.
There was no Maradona this time; instead the Rest of the World players included Brazilian legend Romario, Italian Paulo Di Canio and Luis Figo. The England professionals included Alan Shearer, David Seaman and Teddy Sheringham.
Sadly Robbie Williams missed the game with injury, and the ROTW captain Gordon Ramsay was forced out after just five minutes with a torn hamstring. Alan Shearer, playing for the first time at the new Wembley, scored twice (including a dodgy penalty) and it was his old SAS partner Sheringham who opened the scoring.
Singer Craig David won the man of the match, even out muscling Jaap Stam at one point.
Children’s TV presenter Jamie Theakston pulled off a brilliant save from Romario, who failed to find the net all night.
The winning goal came from a quick free kick from Wilkes, that found Shearer unmarked and six yards from goal. Shearer through his head at the ball, but missed it, and it went in anyway.
Wilkes also scored the winner 2 years ago.
Dreadful England just edge out Andorra
September 7, 2008
All throughout the European Championships, England fans were shouting at the TVs in disgust claiming that if England had been there, they’d have won it. On this evidence, England wouldn’t have got out of the group and thoroughly deserved to not even qualify. They have the stars, they have the talent, but they just can’t play as a team.
Indeed if it wasn’t for Chelsea’s Joe Cole coming off the bench (for the second game in a row) to save England’s blushes, this could have been a disastrous result.
England dominated the game, it has to be said, but then they should have. They failed to break Andorra down and were quite justifiably booed off the field at half time with the score tied at 0-0.
When Cole was introduced at half time he made an immediate impact, scoring in the 49th minute from a Lampard free kick. Then in the 55th minute the Joe Cole show entered its next chapter, as the player scored the second of the game from a Wayne Rooney pass.
As Andorra are ranked 186th in the World, England should be winning games like this with ease, however their performance left a lot of work to do for Fabio Capello if they’re to qualify from the group and reach the World Cup in South Africa.
This was a poor performance, make no mistake.
David Beckham back as captain
May 31, 2008
Fabio Capello has continued to switch the England captaincy before making a permanent choice and David Beckham is next in line. Beckham had been the captain of England but resigned after the 2006 World Cup. It’s not thought that Beckham will not get the job permanently.
It wasn’t that long time ago that Beckham gave his emotional speech at the end of his reign as captain.
Odds with the bookies are split at the moment between John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. My bet goes on,…..Rio.
FA want Capello to get a semi
May 6, 2008
The Football Association want semi final finish or better our of Fabio Capello by the next two tournaments. The FA have also set other tasks for the organization but Capello’s target has been set high by toffs at the F.A.
They also sight hosting the 2018 World Cup in England as top priority a task which should be achievable with the New Wemley and two stadiums in Liverpool planned. Winning is everything thinks that setting the task of reaching the semi finals is beyond the Italian with the current crop of players.
The full list reads.
Successfully bid to host the 2018 World Cup
Wembley achieving an annual operating profit by 2012
The FA’s move to Wembley completed by 2010
RESPECT campaign improves overall disciplinary performance by 25% by 2012
Commercial/broadcast revenues increased by a substantial amount at the next review date in 2011
One million 5-11-year-olds trained through FA Tesco Skills Programme by 2010
125,000 existing teams retained and 20,500 new teams created by 2012
26,000 referees retained and an additional 8,000 referees recruited by 2012
France 1 – 0 England
March 26, 2008
Fabio Capello suffered his first defeat as England manager tonight losing 1-o to France in what was a dismal performance by Capello’s team.
David Beckham was given a starting place in his 100 appearance for his country tonight. Comparing to Capello’s first match John Terry started at the back in place of Matthew Upson and Jenas was replaced by Owen Hardgreaves.
France were without several first team players including Henry and Viera. Anelka started up front with Trezeguet. Capello started with Rooney alone up front supported by Gerrard, similar to how Gerrard plays with Torres at Liverpool.
England did actually control the game in the fist half for the first 3o minutes, with the best chance being a cross which Beckham tried to get on the end of. France scored after 32 minutes when Francois Clerc’s ball along the channel found Anelka, who brought down by David James, a clearcut penalty.
Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery slotted the ball home from 12-yards sending James the wrong way.
At the half time break Capello changed things around with four subs and moving to 4-4-2. Crouch and Owen came on to play upfront, Terry was replaced by Lescott and Joe Cole by Downing. Despite the more attacking formation chances were scarce and it was France that had the best opportunities to score, one falling to Anelka and one to Cisse.
Overall it was a very disappointing night for England. Although the back four looked solid the team could have played for another hour and still not scored.
